Microbes + Gut + Hormones

Jersey City

November 8, 2024

Hi there!

It’s weird but true, the human body is made up of trillions of microorganisms. They outnumber our human cells 10 to 1.

Of course, these microorganisms are so small that they only make up about 1% to 3% of your body mass so you never really notice them. They may be small, but they are important.

You’ve probably heard about the gut microbiome. These are the microorganisms that live in your gut. They are important for keeping your intestines healthy and your digestion working properly. If you’re taking antibiotics be sure to take probiotics to keep the system in balance.

Not only is the gut microbiome important for gut health, but it also plays an important role in estrogen regulation. Recent research has found a gut-estrogen connection. It seems that the microorganisms or bacteria in the gut can affect estrogen levels which can have an impact on weight, libido and mood.

It’s important to keep everything in balance. Here are some things you can do:

1. Skip the Sugar. Sugar and artificial sweeteners may cause hormone havoc (not to mention weight gain) so try to keep the consumption of these to a minimum. Check labels and be aware of “hidden sweeteners,” like high fructose corn syrup.

2. Avoid Alcohol. Or at least cut back. Alcohol is filled with sugar which can affect your mood, as well as disrupt your sleep patterns. If you already have trouble sleeping drinking alcohol will only make it worse.
3. Take a Probiotic. Declining estrogen affects your gut health and digestion and can cause weight gain. Eat fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt. And add a probiotic to your daily supplements.

4. Eat the Rainbow. By eating a wide variety of fiber-rich fruits and veggies you can help keep your digestive system moving in the right direction. Be sure to always drink plenty of water. Fiber needs water to move things along.

5. Think Small. Eating smaller meals throughout the day helps your digestive system. It gets rid of bloating and constipation. Plus, smaller meals also help to regulate blood sugar, which helps keep your energy up and your weight down.

Be well,

Laura

And more...

I feel like we’ve been on a rollercoaster ride which came to an abrupt stop Tuesday night. I know many of you are feeling anxious. I am too. But worrying isn’t good for our mental health or our gut health. My suggestion is to not pre-worry and to take care of yourself. This is what I’m doing. And remember, the only constant is change, everything is cyclical and good always wins in the end.

This is what I did this week to take care of myself. What are you doing?

· Ate wholewheat pancakes with berries for dinner.

· Walked by the river early and watched the sun come up over Manhattan

· Had lunch with an old friend and laughed a lot.

· Went to the library and checked out a mystery.

· Got a massage.